After braving the bitterly cold winds on the walk home from class, what could be better than a warm and hearty meal? Slow cooking recipes mean your meals can be ready and waiting for you. Simply use a slow cooker or set your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (or the lowest temperature possible), pop your meal in for a few hours, and forget about it as you go about your day. These recipes also make large quantities of food, so you can freeze the leftovers for a quick and easy meal later.

Peanut Chicken

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:

2 thinly sliced onions
3 sliced carrots
1 diced red pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into strips
1 cup chicken broth
3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
zest of 1 lime
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp ginger
2-3 tbsp curry paste or powder
5 minced garlic cloves
½ cup coconut milk
1 cup frozen peas
Optional: other frozen vegetables, peanuts, cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a slow cooker or large oven-safe pan with a cover, place onions, carrots, red pepper, and any other vegetables. Place chicken on top of vegetables.
2. In a bowl, whisk together broth, peanut butter, lime zest, soy sauce, ginger, curry, and garlic.
3. Cook for 5-6 hours in either slow cooker on high setting, or in low temperature oven.
4. Stir in coconut milk and peas.
5. Serve over rice. Top with peanuts and cilantro for extra flavour and crunch.

Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

2 chopped onions
6 chopped carrots
4 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp cinnamon
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups water
3 cups cauliflower
2 cups lentils
1 can diced tomatoes
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 package frozen spinach
lemon juice to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except spinach and lemon juice in a slow cooker or oven-safe pan with a lid.
2. Cook for 5-6 hours (high setting).
3. Stir in spinach half an hour before serving and sprinkle lemon juice on top of soup just before eating.

Apple and Maple Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

3 pounds pork (pork butt is best)
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp ground mustard
1 tbsp paprika
1 diced large onion
1 apple (peeled, cored, diced)
½ cup maple syrup
3 tbsp brown sugar
zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. Place pork in center of slow cooker or oven-safe pan.
2. Pour vinegar around pork.
3. Rub mustard and paprika into pork.
4. Add onion and apple.
5. Pour maple syrup over pork.
6. Sprinkle orange zest and brown sugar over pork.
7. Cook for 6-8 hours (high setting).
8. With forks, pull apart pork and allow it to cook in juices for up to an additional 30 minutes.
9. Serve on a bun, on top of rice or salad, or with coleslaw or potatoes.